Banta-Cain - Only OLB With a Roster Spot

[mgteich]

Isn't this the bottom line for the defense? There are usually five roster spots for OLB's. We have Banta-Cain.
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Sure we'll replace Green and Burgess, but we have 5 DL's with roster spots now. We are just trying to find the best players to complete the puzzle.

Sure, we'd like another ILB to push Guyton and McKenzie.

Sure we'd like a corner to push Wheatley and Springs.
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But these are wants.
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The crying need is at OLB. We pay a fortune for a situational pass-rusher who is a solid STer. That's fine. The only reason folks aren't crying about overpaying is that the rest of the OLB's could probably be swapped for those in Detroit or some other bottom dweller.
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[BillBelichickFan79]

I don't know how some people can objectively say we didn't overpay for Banta-Cain. He's not really a starting OLB, as you said he's more of a situational pass rusher. He had a very productive season for us, but going from paying him pocket change to 4.5 million per year is ridiculous in my opinion. If he's worth 4.5 million, then Adalius is worth keeping at 5 million. I still think AD is a better all around player.

Safety and corner are pretty much set at this point. So is ILB and NT. I think the Pats will look to add a DE, but the most pressing need is at OLB. I think we are going to see a good year out of Crable. I've just got a feeling about it.

How many OLB do you think we draft? Anyone we go after in FA/Trade?

I could see the Pats drafting one (at the most 2) OLB and bringing in a guy like Jason Taylor as a rotational rusher. His leadership and knowledge of the game would have a positive impact in the locker room and with the young guys/rookies.

Banta-Cain, Crable, Taylor, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell, 1 or 2 Draftees? Possibly Adalius if he is kept (unlikely), even though he seems like he'd be better at SILB.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

NFL Draft/Scouting Combine 2010: The Defensive Ends/Linebackers

 

[mgteich]

We keep five OLB's. My guess is that Woods will make it as a STer and backup OLB. He's the perfect #5 OLB. We could keep Ninklovich, Crable and a draftee. We could also have a jag veteran or two compete with Ninkovich and Crable for their roster spots. I'm a bit reticent to go with Banta-Cain, Woods and the kids, but that may the best solution for 2010.
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I don't know how some people can objectively say we didn't overpay for Banta-Cain. He's not really a starting OLB, as you said he's more of a situational pass rusher. He had a very productive season for us, but going from paying him pocket change to 4.5 million per year is ridiculous in my opinion. If he's worth 4.5 million, then Adalius is worth keeping at 5 million. I still think AD is a better all around player.

Safety and corner are pretty much set at this point. So is ILB and NT. I think the Pats will look to add a DE, but the most pressing need is at OLB. I think we are going to see a good year out of Crable. I've just got a feeling about it.

How many OLB do you think we draft? Anyone we go after in FA/Trade?

I could see the Pats drafting one (at the most 2) OLB and bringing in a guy like Jason Taylor as a rotational rusher. His leadership and knowledge of the game would have a positive impact in the locker room and with the young guys/rookies.

Banta-Cain, Crable, Taylor, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell, 1 or 2 Draftees? Possibly Adalius if he is kept (unlikely), even though he seems like he'd be better at SILB.

 

[mgteich]

Of course Thomas has more talent than Banta-Cain. However, it seems that he has no intention of showing it off for the patriots.

I don't know how some people can objectively say we didn't overpay for Banta-Cain. He's not really a starting OLB, as you said he's more of a situational pass rusher. He had a very productive season for us, but going from paying him pocket change to 4.5 million per year is ridiculous in my opinion. If he's worth 4.5 million, then Adalius is worth keeping at 5 million. I still think AD is a better all around player.

Safety and corner are pretty much set at this point. So is ILB and NT. I think the Pats will look to add a DE, but the most pressing need is at OLB. I think we are going to see a good year out of Crable. I've just got a feeling about it.

How many OLB do you think we draft? Anyone we go after in FA/Trade?

I could see the Pats drafting one (at the most 2) OLB and bringing in a guy like Jason Taylor as a rotational rusher. His leadership and knowledge of the game would have a positive impact in the locker room and with the young guys/rookies.

Banta-Cain, Crable, Taylor, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell, 1 or 2 Draftees? Possibly Adalius if he is kept (unlikely), even though he seems like he'd be better at SILB.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

We keep five OLB's. My guess is that Woods will make it as a STer and backup OLB. He's the perfect #5 OLB. We could keep Ninklovich, Crable and a draftee. We could also have a jag veteran or two compete with Ninkovich and Crable for their roster spots. I'm a bit reticent to go with Banta-Cain, Woods and the kids, but that may the best solution for 2010.
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Yeah Adalius is more talented than Tully but I don't think he'll be back. Even if he is, will he work as hard as he did in the past when he feels unwanted? Doubtful.

I'm hesitant to go into the season with Banta-Cain, Woods, and the "kids." I feel like we almost have to keep Adalius at this point b/c we don't have much else. If Adalius is cut though, I think we could maybe see a Jason Taylor or Greg Ellis added as vet depth. It's pretty well documented that rookies don't come in and have an immediate impact for us most of the time. At position like OLB where a lot of projecting is done and the fact that our D is pretty complex to get down, I don't expect the draftees to come in and have an immediate impact. That's why I'm a little concerned about OLB even if we use our draft picks well on pass rushers.

Even though Taylor is old, I still think he'd be a good add. He's not the player he once was, but he's still productive when his reps are kept in check. BB has always loved him and he is a leader who would be a great guy for the young OLB's to learn from.

I'm anxious to see what we will do, and I'm hoping Crable can breakthrough and make an impact. I think he could be a key cog on this defense, and this is his "make or break" year most likely.

 

[patsfan55]

I have been saying for YEARS that we needed to draft olbs, I'm talking about the days when Willie was still here even. We needed to fill up the pipeline for the days that we knew were coming (the declines of Willie and Vrabel), and we didn't, and now we've been in this precarious position the last two years. We definitely need to draft at least one early, if not two.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I see no way that BB brings back AD for a "lame duck" season.
That's just asking for more cancerous locker room grumbling and outbursts to the media.

I say trade him out of the division, or the conference. I'd settle for a 4th and hope for a 3rd, but I don't think anyone would give up that much for him.

Unfortunately his cap hit in 2010 is 4.9M so any team that would trade for him would want him to redo his deal.

Adalius Thomas

Perhaps we could trade him for someone else who needs a change of scenery. Hmm, now who would like to switch teams?

Perhaps AD for Merriman? I'm running out of ideas. But at least the money is closer.
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...rriman_feels_hes_getting_legs_back_under_him/

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

I see no way that BB brings back AD for a "lame duck" season.
That's just asking for more cancerous locker room grumbling and outbursts to the media.

I say trade him out of the division, or the conference. I'd settle for a 4th and hope for a 3rd, but I don't think anyone would give up that much for him.

Unfortunately his cap hit in 2010 is 4.9M so any team that would trade for him would want him to redo his deal.

Adalius Thomas

Perhaps we could trade him for someone else who needs a change of scenery. Hmm, now who would like to switch teams?

Perhaps AD for Merriman? I'm running out of ideas. But at least the money is closer.
Merriman feels he’s getting legs back under him - The Boston Globe

Oh man would that be a nice deal. Not a chance the Chargers do it though. Merriman might be unhappy for the time being, but the Chargers tendered at him at the 1st and 3rd b/c they want to keep him, see him prove he's healthy and back to form, and then possibly extend him long term. Unfortunately for us, there's no way they trade the 26 year old Merriman in the prime of his career for a guy like Adalius who is on the back 9 of his career. It's always nice to dream though.

 

[Since1971]

I don't know how some people can objectively say we didn't overpay for Banta-Cain. He's not really a starting OLB, as you said he's more of a situational pass rusher. He had a very productive season for us, but going from paying him pocket change to 4.5 million per year is ridiculous in my opinion. If he's worth 4.5 million, then Adalius is worth keeping at 5 million. I still think AD is a better all around player.

Safety and corner are pretty much set at this point. So is ILB and NT. I think the Pats will look to add a DE, but the most pressing need is at OLB. I think we are going to see a good year out of Crable. I've just got a feeling about it.

How many OLB do you think we draft? Anyone we go after in FA/Trade?

I could see the Pats drafting one (at the most 2) OLB and bringing in a guy like Jason Taylor as a rotational rusher. His leadership and knowledge of the game would have a positive impact in the locker room and with the young guys/rookies.

Banta-Cain, Crable, Taylor, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell, 1 or 2 Draftees? Possibly Adalius if he is kept (unlikely), even though he seems like he'd be better at SILB.

I wouldn't be suprised if our edge player turns out to be G. Selvie or Thadeous Gibson in late 2nd or 3rd round, I could see Bill trading one 2nd round pick back in a deep draft. I think the highest round Belichick has drafted anyone at OLB is Crable in the 3rd round. Unless he has decided to change his model I don't see Kindle, Graham, Hughes or any for the other names being thrown around.